dentistry

dentistry /den·tis·try/ (den´tis-tre)

1. that branch of the healing arts concerned with the teeth, oral cavity, and associated structures, including prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease and restoration of defective or missing tissue.

2. the work done by dentists, e.g., the creation of restorations, crowns, and bridges, and surgical procedures performed in and about the oral cavity.

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holistic dentistry  dental practice that takes into account the effect of dental treatment and materials on the overall health of the individual.

operative dentistry  dentistry concerned with restoration of parts of the teeth that are defective as a result of disease, trauma, or abnormal development to a state of normal function, health, and esthetics.

pediatric dentistry  pedodontics.

preventive dentistry  dentistry concerned with maintenance of a normal masticating mechanism by fortifying the structures of the oral cavity against damage and disease.

prosthetic dentistry  prosthodontics.

restorative dentistry  dentistry concerned with the restoration of existing teeth that are defective because of disease, trauma, or abnormal development to normal function, health, and appearance; it includes crowns and bridgework.

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den·tist·ry (dnt-str)

n.

The science concerned with the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases of the teeth, gums, and related structures of the mouth and including the repair or replacement of defective teeth.

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dentistry,

n the medical science concerned with the teeth, gums, and general oral health care.

dentistry, biocompatible (bīˈ·ō·kmˑ·pa·t·bl denˑ·tis·trē),

n See dentistry, biologic.

dentistry, biologic,

n a profession that treats conditions of the oral cavity. See also dentistry, biocompatible; dentistry, holistic; and dentistry, environmental.

dentistry, environmental,

n a philosophy of dentistry that considers the biological and environmental impact of dental practice. Often incorpo-rates complementary and alternative approaches. Also called
biologic, biocompatible, or
holistic dentistry.

dentistry, holistic,

n dentistry that emphasizes the relationship of whole body health to the health of the oral cavity, teeth, and jaws. May involve herbal medicine, homeopathy, or other complementary and alternative methods. Also called
integrative dentistry.

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dentistry,

n the evaluation, diagnosis, and/or treatment (nonsurgical, surgical, or related procedures) of diseases, disorders, and/or conditions of the oral cavity, maxillofacial area, and/or the adjacent and associated structures and their impact on the body; provided by dental professionals, within the scope of his/her education, training, and experience, in accordance with the ethics of the profession and applicable law.

dentistry, forensic,

n See jurisprudence, dental.

dentistry, four-handed,

n the technique of chairside operating in which four hands are kept busy working in the oral cavity simultaneously.

dentistry, neuromuscular

(ner´ōmus´kylr),
n a subdiscipline of dentistry concerned with correcting alignment problems at the temporomandibular joint. This branch of dentistry focuses primarily on caring for the muscles, nerves, and other tissue as opposed to teeth and bones.

dentistry, operative,

n the branch of oral health service concerned with operations to restore or reform the hard dental tissues (e.g., operations necessitated by caries, trauma, and impaired function, and for improvement of appearance).

dentistry, preventive,

n a subdiscipline of dentistry concerned with preventing cavities and other dental disorders and preserving healthy teeth and gingival tissues.

dentistry, prosthetic,

n See prosthodontics.

dentistry, psychosomatic

n a type of dentistry that concerns itself with the mind-body relationship.

dentistry, washed-field,

n the constant flushing of the operative field with an irrigant (usually water) and the evacuation of the washing (debris) from the oral cavity by vacuum airstream. See also technique, hydroflow.

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dentistry

that branch of the healing arts concerned with the teeth and associated structures of the oral cavity, including prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases of the teeth.

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conservative dentistry

involved with the preservation of natural teeth.

restorative dentistry

the repair of defects or injury to teeth.